This book raises some very basic questions about the way that analytic philosophy has been going over the past quarter-century and more. It does so partly by way of direct engagement with various current debates, and partly through the range of topics addressed as a kind of demonstrative rejoinder to the chronic over-specialisation of much recent work in the academic mainstream. Thus the book includes chapters on (among other topics) the ‘extended mind’ hypothesis, experimental philosophy, speculative realism, the ontology of political song, Shakespearean language as a challenge to the norms o ... More

This book raises some very basic questions about the way that analytic philosophy has been going over the past quarter-century and more. It does so partly by way of direct engagement with various current debates, and partly through the range of topics addressed as a kind of demonstrative rejoinder to the chronic over-specialisation of much recent work in the academic mainstream. Thus the book includes chapters on (among other topics) the ‘extended mind’ hypothesis, experimental philosophy, speculative realism, the ontology of political song, Shakespearean language as a challenge to the norms of linguistic philosophy, and anti-realism as a (purported) antidote to epistemological scepticism. In each case Norris shows how the effect of certain prevailing analytic or professionally sanctioned codes of discourse has been a narrowing of sights to the point where other, more expansive or philosophically productive approaches are blocked from view. This argument is pursued to most vigorous and aptly heterodox effect in a chapter on the topic of greatness in philosophy and how it typically goes along with a certain willing exposure to the risk of error. Here as elsewhere Norris presents a strong claim that continental philosophy holds the resources for a creative renewal of analytic thought in just those quarters of specialist debate where this is most urgently needed.